Trump Criticizes EU's $140 Million Fine on Musk's X

U.S. President Donald Trump criticized a $140 million fine levied by EU regulators on Elon Musk's social media company, X. The fine was imposed for breaching online content rules, a move condemned by several U.S. officials. Meanwhile, the EU asserts the fine supports transparency and digital standards.

U.S. President Donald Trump has openly criticized a $140 million fine imposed by European Union tech regulators on Elon Musk's social media company, X, describing it as "a nasty one". Speaking at a White House event, Trump expressed his confusion over the EU's decision and anticipated a comprehensive report on the issue.

The hefty fine comes after EU regulators accused X of breaching online content rules, including failing to maintain transparency obligations and using a deceptive design for its blue verification checkmark system. Musk, dismissing the penalty, referred to it as "Bullshit" in a post, emphasizing the importance of free speech as crucial to democracy.

Several U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have joined Trump in denouncing the fine as an unjust attack on American companies, while EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen argues the penalty is fair and unrelated to censorship. The EU maintains the fine is about upholding their digital and democratic standards.

(With inputs from agencies.)